DNR News: Wildlife watching
DNR News: Wildlife watching, ‘Winged Wednesdays’ and tree stand safety
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Chilly October mornings are a great opportunity for wildlife viewing in Michigan. Walking through the dew-covered grasses toward a marsh edge, you might come across the prehistoric-looking sandhill crane. Or perhaps, just before dusk in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, you’ll hear the bellowing bugle of a bull elk.
Of all the wild creatures we share the planet with, birds are among the most beautiful. They’re everywhere but can blend into the background of busy lives. During the COVID-19 quarantine, many people found themselves with more time to appreciate the birds in their backyards – some for the first time.
Droves of Michiganders headed outdoors late last month to demonstrate their love and appreciation for Michigan’s spectacular network of nonmotorized trails.
You’ve probably heard a lot about invasive species, but do you know what is being done in Michigan to prevent and control them? 
“Spirit of Main Street” Micro Business Grants
Genisys Credit Union and Main Street Oakland County Award Six “Spirit of Main Street” Micro Business Grants
Pontiac, Michigan – Five area businesses and a downtown development organization were awarded “Spirit of Main Street” micro business grants from Genisys Credit Union and Main Street Oakland County.
The awards, announced today by Oakland County Executive David Coulter and Genisys Credit Union, provide a financial boost for businesses severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Marketplace in Berkley, Maruca’s Kitchen in Holly, 20 Front Street in Lake Orion, Cookies and Cream in Lake Orion, the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority and Everybody Inc. in Pontiac will share $17,000 in “Spirit of Main Street” grants.
“We are grateful that Genisys Credit Union continues to support our small businesses and Main Street Oakland County through its sponsorship of the ‘Spirit of Main Street’ grants,” Coulter said. “These grants provide an economic boost at a critical time for small businesses everywhere. We applaud Genisys for being a wonderful partner.”
The grants can be used for a variety of needs, from payroll and paying vendors to making structural improvements to marketing. The Marketplace and Maruca’s Kitchen are using their awards for building renovations and equipment; 20 Front Street is using its award for streaming and broadcast equipment for live music; Cookies and Cream to acquire a nearby ice cream plant to expand its business model; the Ortonville DDA received its grant as part of its “Welcome Back to Ortonville” promotion and Everybody Inc., which employs disabled adults, is using its grant for signage in its new location inside McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac.
“We are proud to partner with Main Street Oakland County to be able to provide small businesses the opportunity to build stronger local economies and communities,” said Jackie Buchanan, Genisys president and chief executive officer. “From daily business needs to structural improvements to marketing, these grants support small businesses, especially in times of economic downturns, to ensure area downtowns are destinations for residents and visitors alike.”
The five businesses join Trails Edge Café in Wixom, the Liberty Bar in Pontiac and Honcho/Union Joints Restaurant in Clarkston, which received grants in May.
This is the third year of the partnership between Genisys and Main Street Oakland County. Under the terms of the grant, a minimum dollar-for-dollar match must be provided by the applicant.
In 2019, public and private investment in Main Street Oakland County totaled more than $50.2 million and resulted in 450 net new jobs; 60 net new businesses; and contributions of more than 28,460 volunteer hours.
“Main Street Oakland County is a government program that works,” Coulter said. “To date, more than $837 million in public and private investments have been made to Main Street downtowns, establishing 1,163 new businesses and generating 8,000 jobs. Genisys Credit Union has been such a valuable partner, understanding the importance of supporting small businesses in our downtowns. Its financial commitment helps ensure they remain vital and attractive destinations for residents and visitors alike.”
Oakland County is the first and still only county in the United States to operate a full-service, county-wide Main Street program.
Designated Main Street Oakland County communities include Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Township, Hazel Park, Highland Township, Holly, Holly Township, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Leonard, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, South Lyon and Wixom.
Whitmer Releases Video Urging Michiganders to Wear a Mask
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2020
Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Releases Video Urging Michiganders to Wear a Mask and Practice Social Distancing to Keep Schools and Businesses Open and Protect Frontline Workers
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a video on social media urging Michiganders, the legislature, the president, and Congress to do their part to protect families, frontline workers, and small businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For the past seven months, I’ve been making the tough decisions that took us from the state with the 3rd highest cases of COVID-19 per million in March and April, to the 33rd highest in September. We have one of the best economic recoveries in the nation too. Studies concluded we saved thousands of lives,” said Governor Whitmer. “But after the Republican Legislature sued to take away my executive authority, this past Friday the Michigan Supreme Court struck down the statute under which I issued executive orders to save lives and protect Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses.
“As a result of the Court and the legislature’s action, our COVID-19 cases will very likely go up. There will be uncertainty, disruption, and possibly greater risk to our economy, more people quarantined, and more deaths.
“The ruling does not mean that the orders I issued violated the law. Although I disagree with the conclusion, the Court held the law is unconstitutional, meaning the legislature did not have power to pass the law in 1945. In fact, the Court made clear that I interpreted the 1945 law correctly. And the ruling does not mean all of the protections we have put in place will go away. I have additional powers that I will use to protect our families from the spread of this virus.”
Today, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253 restricting gathering sizes and requiring face coverings in public spaces. Under MCL 333.2253, if the MDHHS director determines that control of an epidemic is necessary to protect the public health, the director by emergency order may prohibit the gathering of people for any purpose and may establish procedures to be followed during the epidemic to insure continuation of essential public health services and enforcement of health laws.
“The CDC and public health experts agree that wearing masks and practicing safe physical distancing are crucial to slow the spread of the virus, protect our frontline workers, and keep our schools and small businesses open,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michiganders, here’s what we need you to do: please take this virus seriously by wearing a mask when you go out, washing hands, and maintaining six feet of physical distance. Get a flu shot. Taking this action is essential to keeping our small businesses and schools open. COVID 19 didn’t stop being a threat because the court ruling, or because we’ve tired of it, or because the legislature left town.
“Let us not squander the sacrifice we have made to get to this point. We all have to do our part. You can protect the brave men and women on the front lines who are working every day to keep us safe. The health care workers and first responders, grocery store employees, child care workers, and all of the people who have been putting their lives on the line since day one.”
Energy Efficiency Day a reminder
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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Governor Whitmer Urges Michigan Supreme Court to Clarify
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2020
Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Urges Michigan Supreme Court to Clarify When Ruling on Emergency Powers Takes Effect
Up to 830,000 Michiganders could lose unemployment benefits if the ruling went into effect immediately
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Robert Gordon filed a motion with the Michigan Supreme Court requesting that they clarify that their October 2nd ruling does not take effect until Friday, October 30th. On October 2nd, a narrow majority of the Supreme Court struck down the statute under which the governor has issued executive orders to save lives and protect Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses. If the ruling went into effect immediately, up to 830,000 Michigan workers and their families could lose crucial unemployment benefits. Moreove
“We need this transition period to protect the 830,000 Michigan workers and families who are depending on unemployment benefits to pay their bills and put food on the table, and to protect Michiganders everywhere who are counting on their leaders to protect them,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Supreme Court has spoken, and while I vehemently disagree with their ruling, I’m ready to work across the aisle with Republicans in the legislature where we can find common ground to slow the spread of the virus and rebuild our economy. It’s time for Republicans in the Legislature to get to work and start showing that they are taking this crisis seriously. They can start by canceling their October recess and getting back to work. Let’s work together and get this done.”
“The Supreme Court’s ruling raises several legal questions that we are still reviewing. While we are moving swiftly, this transition will take time,” said DHHS Director Robert Gordon. “Make no mistake, Governor Whitmer will continue using every tool at her disposal to keep Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses safe from this deadly virus. The same is true for our department. We will use every statutory tool available to protect our state employees and the residents we serve. We also need Michiganders to do their part by wearing a mask, maintaining six feet of physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and getting their flu vaccine. We will get through this together.”
“A transition period is critical to ensure protections for the 830,000 unemployed Michigan workers and families who are counting on us. These are men and women who lost their jobs due to COVID-19, and depend on expanded benefits to buy prescriptions and groceries, pay their mortgage, and provide for their families, ” said Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio. “During this crucial transition, we will work closely with the governor and leaders everywhere to protect our workers whose jobs were affected by COVID-19.”
Since the first cases of COVID-19 were discovered in Michigan nearly seven months ago, Governor Whitmer has taken swift action to protect Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses. The aggressive action she took against this virus has proven to have saved thousands of Michigan lives, and CNN business has routinely ranked Michigan in the top 15 on their list of states that are getting their economies back on track.
After the Supreme Court issued their opinion on Friday, Governor Whitmer vowed to continue working around the clock to fight this virus on behalf of Michigan families. She said, “I want the people of Michigan to know that no matter what happens, I will never stop fighting to keep you and your families safe from this deadly virus.”
To view the motions filed today, click the links below: